The Planet Paintball Podcast

Building the Royals, NGXL Competition & Getting Better at Paintball | Mikey

In this episode of the Planet Paintball Podcast, Hunter sits down with Mikey to discuss building the Royals, competing in the NGXL, adapting to different layouts, and improving performance on the field.

Mikey shares the story behind the Royals, reflects on the season, and breaks down the skills that help players compete at a higher level. From fitness and training drills to reading layouts and making smart decisions under pressure, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways for tournament players.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Forming the Royals and developing team chemistry

• The NGXL season recap and team performance

• First tournament experiences

• Competing across multiple leagues

• Adapting to blind layouts

• Reading layouts and understanding game flow

• Improving accuracy, speed, and muscle memory

• Fitness and its impact on paintball performance

• Multitasking and making decisions under pressure

• Penalties, team growth, and tournament lessons

• Situational awareness and knowing when to be aggressive

• Future team goals and media projects

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction and Mikey's Paintball Background
01:10 - Formation of the Royals and Team Dynamics
02:05 - Season Recap: NGXL and League Performance
03:26 - First Experience at a Tournament
04:11 - Playing Multiple Leagues and Adapting to Layouts
05:23 - Layout Adaptability and Game Strategy
06:40 - Multitasking and Micro-Management
09:54 - Training Drills for Accuracy and Muscle Memory
11:48 - Analyzing Layouts and Game Flow
13:42 - Team Growth, Penalties, and Event Experiences
16:21 - Season Race and Team Performance
20:41 - Future Plans, Team Goals, and Media Projects

KEY TAKEAWAY: The ability to adapt to a layout, get your gun into position quickly, and recognize the right moment to be aggressive can make the difference in a gunfight.

Subscribe to the Planet Paintball Podcast for more conversations with tournament players, teams, field owners, and the people growing the sport.

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#PlanetPaintballPodcast #Paintball #NGXL #TournamentPaintball #PaintballTraining #PlayerDevelopment #PaintballCommunity

From Woodsball to Speedball! Tristan from Life Alert | Planet Paintball Podcast

In this episode of the Planet Paintball Podcast, Hunter sits down with Tristan from Life Alert to talk about his journey into paintball, tournament experiences, gear preferences, and the impact the sport has had on his life.

From his first tournament to competing at major events, Tristan shares stories about team dynamics, comeback victories, learning the game, and making the transition from woodsball to speedball.

We also get into paintball content creation, YouTube growth, camera setups, pod running, game tactics, favorite fields, and the importance of getting more young players involved in the sport.

In this episode:

• Tristan's start in paintball and early influences

• His first tournament experience

• Starting a YouTube channel and creating content

• Attending major paintball events

• Team performance and comeback victories

• Growing youth participation in paintball

• Favorite markers, gear, and paintball brands

• Pod management and game tactics

• Favorite fields and tournament travel

• Playing in different weather conditions

• How paintball has shaped Tristan's life

• Filming gameplay and growing a YouTube audience

• Funny moments and memorable experiences

• A dad's perspective on Tristan's development

• The future of youth paintball

Whether you're a new player, a tournament veteran, or a young player looking to take the next step, this episode has plenty of stories and insights worth checking out.

The future of paintball starts with the next generation.

Subscribe to the Planet Paintball Podcast for more conversations with the players, teams, field owners, and creators growing the game.

#PlanetPaintballPodcast #Paintball #LifeAlert #Speedball #Woodsball #YouthPaintball #TournamentPaintball #PaintballYouTube #PaintballCommunity

Is Paintball Losing Control?

Hunter and Joshua Connelly sit down for a no-BS discussion about the current state of competitive paintball.

They break down recent events, controversial penalties, inconsistent rule enforcement, sideline coaching, player conduct, injuries, roster changes, and the decisions that continue to shape the sport.

The conversation also looks ahead to upcoming tournaments, team matchups, international competition, series points, league structure, and the future of player longevity.

In this episode:

• Team performances and roster changes

• Rule enforcement and controversial penalties

• Sideline coaching and video evidence

• Player conduct and league discipline

• Injuries and team readiness

• International teams and global competition

• Series points and league structure

• Team mergers and roster moves

• Player longevity and the changing game

• Upcoming tournaments and predictions

• The future direction of competitive paintball

From questionable calls to major roster changes, Hunter and Joshua take a hard look at where competitive paintball is right now — and where it could be headed.

Are the rules being enforced consistently?

In this episode of the Planet Paintball Podcast, Hunter sits down with Paul from Did it Hurt Paintball to talk about a paintball journey that started later in life and turned into a serious pursuit of competition, improvement, and community.

We get into the realities of playing paintball as you get older, dealing with injuries, staying motivated, and continuing to challenge yourself. Didithurt also shares what he has learned from playing alongside and against high-level players and why mentorship, loyalty, and team culture matter.

But this conversation goes beyond just playing the game.

We talk about pit etiquette, sportsmanship, humility, paintball history, league structures, player development, and the importance of carrying yourself with class — both on and off the field.

In this episode:

• Starting competitive paintball at 43
• Learning from pro and semi-pro players
• The importance of pit etiquette
• Team culture and player loyalty
• The growth of West Coast paintball
• Balancing age, injuries, and competition
• Mental models for improvement
• Setting personal goals and continuing to push yourself
• The evolution of paintball technology and formats
• Why new players should learn paintball history
• Respecting the players who built the sport
• Learning from losses and playing against better competition
• How different formats develop different skills
• Humility, character, and sportsmanship
• The importance of mentorship and community
• Women making an impact in paintball
• The future of league structures and regional competition
• Supporting divisional players and growing the sport

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and guest background
00:13 - Episode overview
06:30 - How paintball changed his life at 43
14:04 - Influence of top players and mentors
21:58 - Pit etiquette and team culture
31:50 - Growth of West Coast paintball leagues
44:18 - Balancing age, injuries, and passion
53:13 - Loyalty, strategy, and mental models
58:47 - Personal goals and the desire to win
1:04:55 - The evolution of paintball technology
1:15:02 - Community, camaraderie, and the future
1:22:48 - West Coast, Texas, and Florida paintball
1:33:16 - Women making an impact in paintball
1:35:29 - Lessons from Alex Franze and character
1:39:56 - Learning from pro players and losses
1:50:02 - What different formats can teach you
1:53:17 - Playing against pros and embracing challenges
1:56:37 - Humility, respect, and community
2:04:24 - Professionalism and your legacy
2:10:02 - Maintaining class on and off the field
2:24:21 - Legendary players and memorable stories
2:31:04 - Handling losses with humility
2:38:21 - The future of paintball league organization
2:41:50 - League formats, relegation, and regional events
2:48:18 - Community, mentorship, and growth
2:56:39 - The role of divisional players
3:07:46 - Share your journey and learn from mistakes
3:19:44 - Closing remarks

“Respect your history to grow.”

“Carry yourself with class.”

Paintball is bigger than winning a tournament. It's the people you learn from, the teams you build, the losses that make you better, and the way you carry yourself along the way.

Subscribe to the Planet Paintball Podcast for more stories from the divisional pits, regional leagues, national events, and the people who make paintball what it is.

#PlanetPaintballPodcast #Paintball #TournamentPaintball #WestCoastPaintball #PaintballHistory #PaintballCommunity #PaintballCulture #PlayerDevelopment #PaintballLife

Episode 148 — From Player to Paintball Media: Matthew Wiles on Community, Content & Growth

In Episode 148 of the Planet Paintball Podcast, Matthew Wiles joins Hunter to talk about his journey through paintball, regional competition, and becoming a media creator.

We dive into the growth of paintball in Ohio, the MSXL, Wrecking Crew, World Cup, and the importance of media in telling the stories that make this sport special.

Matthew also shares practical advice for anyone looking to create paintball content — including why you don't need expensive equipment to get started.

In this episode:

• Matthew's journey into paintball and media

• The growth of Ohio paintball and regional leagues

• MSXL and Wrecking Crew

• The importance of authenticity and community

• How media helps grow and promote paintball

• Tips for filming paintball events

• Shooting vertical video for Reels and social media

• Equipment choices and working with limited gear

• Building trust and relationships in the paintball community

• Giving back and supporting the sport

• Overcoming confidence issues as a creator

• Future projects and the direction of paintball media

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Matthew Wiles' background
01:10 - Authenticity and community in paintball media
04:55 - Practical tips for creating video content
08:45 - Giving back to the paintball community
10:59 - Equipment choices and shooting techniques
13:40 - Balancing work, life, and media projects
16:34 - The impact of community support
19:28 - Building confidence as a creator
22:27 - Future projects and media plans
24:42 - Final thoughts and encouragement for creators

Check out Wiles Media:

Wiles Media on YouTube

Watch Wiles Media's featured video:

Wiles Media Video

The takeaway: You don't need the most expensive camera or the biggest production crew. You need consistency, authenticity, and a willingness to tell the story.

Subscribe to the Planet Paintball Podcast for more conversations with the players, teams, field owners, coaches, and people helping shape paintball.

#PlanetPaintballPodcast #Episode148 #Paintball #PaintballMedia #OhioPaintball #MSXL #WreckingCrew #WorldCupPaintball #PaintballCommunity #WilesMedia

EPISODE 147 — FROM PLANET PAINTBALL TO WORLD CUP: THE SEX PANTHER STORY

This week on the Planet Paintball Podcast, Hunter sits down with Sex Panther to talk about the journey from playing at Planet Paintball to competing on the national stage.

We get into the history, the teams, the wins, the failures, and the lessons learned along the way.

We also go deep on the current state of paintball, including:

• Tournament formats and what makes a great game
• Team strategy and building a competitive roster
• League structures and the idea of regional conferences
• Paint and equipment costs
• Field design and how layouts could improve
• The importance of original team branding and jersey designs
• World Cup experiences and lessons from major events
• The role of AI and technology in modern sports
• What paintball can do better moving forward

There’s plenty of old-school paintball history, tournament stories, strong opinions, and a few things we probably shouldn't say too loudly at the field.

“Don’t steal jersey ideas from other teams.”

Listen to Episode 146 of the Planet Paintball Podcast now.

Subscribe, listen, share, and let us know what you think.

#PlanetPaintballPodcast #Paintball #TournamentPaintball #WorldCupPaintball #NXL #PaintballHistory #CompetitivePaintball #PaintballCommunity

From 1988 to Today: Shannon’s Journey Through Paintball

In this episode of the Planet Paintball Podcast, Shannon takes us through his decades-long journey in paintball, beginning in 1988 and continuing through today. We talk about the evolution of paintball equipment, the teams and people that shaped his career, and the differences between ten-man, five-man, scenario, and X-Ball formats.

Shannon also shares stories from memorable tournaments, the formation and evolution of Team Gridlock, the impact of sponsorships and technology, and what keeps him coming back to the game after all these years.

We also get into the strategic side of paintball, team dynamics, the importance of community and camaraderie, and the special accomplishment of winning alongside his son.

In this episode:

• Shannon’s introduction to paintball in 1988

• The evolution of paintball equipment and technology

• The formation and history of Team Gridlock

• Ten-man, five-man, scenario, and X-Ball paintball

• How technology changed the way the game is played

• Tournament experiences and memorable team moments

• Sponsorships, gear, and competitive paintball

• Strategy and planning in different paintball formats

• The importance of teamwork and camaraderie

• Passing the love of paintball on to the next generation

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction and Shannon’s Paintball Beginnings

Sound Bites:
“Paintball is more strategic because you can make plans.”

“I've been shot many times on purpose.”

“Winning with my son is a big accomplishment.”

Thanks for listening to the Planet Paintball Podcast. Subscribe, follow, and share the episode with someone who loves the history and evolution of paintball.

Episode 145 — Aaron: Strategy, Training, and the Evolution of Competitive Paintball

In this episode of the Planet Paintball Podcast, Hunter sits down with Aaron to discuss his journey through competitive paintball, from his early days in the sport to recent tournament success.

Aaron shares his thoughts on what it takes to stay competitive as paintball continues to evolve, including layout design, game strategy, physical preparation, teamwork, and mental focus.

We also explore the growth of paintball in East Tennessee, the MSXL scene, innovations in layouts and equipment, and how technology and media are changing the way players prepare and compete.

In this episode:

• Aaron's journey into competitive paintball

• Tournament preparation and training

• Layout design and game strategy

• Mental focus and decision-making

• Team communication and chemistry

• Physical fitness and conditioning

• Equipment and layout innovations

• The growth of East Tennessee paintball

• MSXL and X-Ball competition

• Technology and media in modern paintball

Listen to Episode 145 of the Planet Paintball Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of the Planet Paintball Podcast, Luke Pankratz shares his unique journey from skate culture and airsoft into the world of paintball, media, and entrepreneurship.

Luke opens up about the role that recovery and community have played in his life and how those experiences shaped his approach to paintball, business, and building meaningful connections within the sport. We also dive into the intersection of paintball, media, product development, and brand building.

Luke shares his perspective on what makes a brand authentic, why mission should come before market trends, and how social media and storytelling can be used to build communities rather than simply sell products.

Whether you're interested in paintball, entrepreneurship, branding, media, or the future of the sport, this conversation offers a different look at how passion and purpose can create something bigger than the game itself.

Key Topics:

• Luke's journey from skate culture and airsoft to paintball

• Recovery, community, and personal growth

• Building authentic brands within paintball

• Product development and innovation

• Social media and guerrilla marketing

• Storytelling and documentary-style content

• Balancing profit with social impact

• Using paintball to build community

• The future of paintball media and marketing

• Pursuing passion with purpose

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity and mission should drive brand creation.

• Good branding starts with understanding people, not just selling products.

• Social media can build genuine communities when used strategically.

• Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for growing paintball.

• The biggest impact isn't always measured by profit.

Sound Bites:
"Authenticity and mission should drive brand creation."

"Content is a powerful tool for community engagement."

"Impact is worth more than profit at the end of the day."

🎙️ EPISODE 143 IS LIVE! 🎙️

This week on the Planet Paintball Podcast, Hunter Patterson sits down with Michael "Evil Pop Tart" for a trip through paintball history.

From the early days of Counter-Strike, PB Nation, and Autocockers to tournament paintball, online forums, and the evolution of modern gear, this episode is packed with stories that longtime players will appreciate and newer players need to hear.

In Episode 143, we discuss:

🎯 How Michael first got into paintball

💻 The golden era of PB Nation and online paintball forums

🔫 The evolution of Autocockers, markers, and paintball technology

🏆 Tournament experiences and unforgettable moments

🤝 The friendships and community that made paintball special

🔥 Classic paintball controversies and legendary stories

📈 How technology has changed the way the game is played

🔮 Michael's thoughts on the future of the sport

Whether you've been playing since the early 2000s or you're just getting into tournament paintball, this episode is a great look back at the history that helped shape the game we love today.

🎧 Watch or listen to Episode 143 now!

👇 We'd love to hear from you:

What was your first paintball marker, or what paintball memory got you hooked on the sport?

#PlanetPaintball #Episode143 #PaintballPodcast #PaintballHistory #PBNation #Autococker #TournamentPaintball #CompetitivePaintball #PaintballCommunity #GrowTheSport